When I first pieced together the Greater Sydney Bike Trail, I envisioned it as a way for locals to string together our city’s incredible network of shared paths. I’ve spent years riding these routes on my e-bike, mapping out the best ways to link our major cycleways with quiet back streets so that 85% of the 230km journey is safely off-road.
But it’s always a special thrill when interstate visitors show up to put our infrastructure to the test—especially when they do it on folding bikes.
Recently, three intrepid cyclists, Kym, Lizzie and Andrew from Adelaide flew into Mascot, unpacked their Bromptons, loaded up their luggage, and hit the ground rolling. Over five days, they took on the GSBT, proving that you don’t need a full-sized touring rig to conquer our city’s geography.
Their 253-kilometre adventure is a brilliant showcase of what’s possible on Sydney’s cycle network. Day 1 ~ They started with a scenic run from Mascot down to the Cronulla waterfront, mixing Japanese ramen with great aircraft views. Day 2 threw some moisture and mechanicals their way en route to Casula. A tough day with some really cool waterway views. Day 3 ~ From Casula, they rolled car free for 50kms on the M7 cycleway to Parramatta. Day 4 ~ A detour to a Cherry Blossum festival follow by Olympic Park and Lane Cove National Park and eventually looping back into the CBD. Day 5 exploring the fab Eastern coastline before battling the map app to pickup their bike bags at Mascot and catch their flight home.
I usually tell people that Sydney bike trails might look flat on a map, but there are a few big dips along our waterways. These guys tackled nearly 2,000 metres of climbing on small wheels, passing all the essential GSBT markers—including Centennial Park, the Woronora Bridge, Lizard Log, and Lachlan’s Line Bridge—without skipping a beat.
It’s a fantastic read and a great reminder of how useful continuous, connected active transport corridors are. Their journey highlights both the spectacular highlights of our paths and the quirky detours that make cycle touring so rewarding.
Read all about their 5-day Bromptoneering adventure right here: 📖 Sydney 5 Day Tour | Bromptoneering or bust
And if their ride inspires you to tackle the loop yourself, you can find the complete interactive map and route details on my Greater Sydney Bike Trail page: https://www.cyclesydney.com/p/gsbt.
In more detail with comments from CycleSyd
📖 Day 1: Mascot to Cronulla Hitting the ground straight off the plane, the guys set off on an afternoon coastal 28-kilometre run down to the Shire. After catching some great aircraft views around the airport and fueling up on ramen, they made their way to the beautiful waterfront pathways to Cronulla. It is a very scenic and relatively flat introduction to Sydney riding before the real climbing begins. Ride 22 📹 Lady Robinsons Beach
📖Day 2: Cronulla to Casula Sydney’s geography really starts to show its teeth as you head west from the coast. Throw in some drizzly weather and a few trailside mechanicals, and this 53-kilometre leg required some grit. Fortunately, the magpies gave them a free pass, and some top-tier Lebanese manoush provided the perfect fuel to get them through to Casula. 📹 Cronulla to Sutherland Woronora Bridge Highlight Chipping Norton Lake
📖Day 3: Casula to Parramatta This 68-kilometre stretch is where Sydney’s continuous, off-road infrastructure really shines. Hopping onto the M7 cycleway, our Adelaide visitors got to enjoy the satisfaction of zipping freely past intense motorways. Starting with a quick explore of the Liverpool Powerhouse and then onto some essential coffee stops, and it was a terrific day of urban cycle touring. 📹 M7 Cycleway M7 to Parramatta
📖Day 4: Parramatta to Sydney Google Maps reckons Parramatta to the CBD is only 29 kilometres. GSBT riders know better. Because the route must pass Marker No. 4 at Lane Cove National Park, there are no shortcuts, only extra kilometres and additional suffering. Gordon (a multiple Brompton owner), Winston (on the longest outing yet for his rescue bike), Kym, Lizzie and Andrew completed a 57-kilometre loop that took in the Cherry Blossom Festival (with marginal Blossums), Sydney Olympic Park and Lane Cove National Park, along with the good and bad of North Sydney’s cycling offerings, before finally reaching Milsons Point and crossing the Harbour Bridge. 📹 Lane Cove National Park Cordia Way
📖Day 5: Sydney to Mascot Closing the Greater Sydney Bike Trail loop is a usually a mixture of pain and pleasure. Navigating the final 46 kilometres back to the airport takes you around Centennial Park and past some terrific beaches and cliffscapes to La Perouse. Ultimately, Kym, Lizzie and Andrew made it back to their bike bags at Mascot , capping off nearly 2,000 metres of climbing on small wheels over five days. 📹 Centennial Park
Navigating the Loop — Google My Maps vs. Beeline
Garry: When I’m out mapping these routes, I usually sketch the intended track in Google My Maps and just follow the blue dot on my phone. How did you actually follow this map? Did you load the GPX into your phone, a Garmin, or something else?
Kym: I exported the GPX file out of Ride with GPS and used Beeline. I actually use the dedicated Beeline device on my handlebars rather than just looking at the phone app. It’s incredibly simple for touring, and it saves your phone battery.
Garry: Interesting, I hadn’t heard much about Beeline. When you import the GPX, do you rely on Turn-by-Turn directions or something else?
Kym: I use Breadcrumb Mode. Instead of trying to snap the track to known roads, it keeps the exact GPS trace. Because it doesn’t force a road route, I can follow absolutely anything. It’s ideal for off-road trails or newly constructed paths.
(📹 Garry had to check Beeline out - here is a video )
Congratulations Kym, Lizzie and Andrew
We have had many riders of the big loop but I cannot remember anyone jetting in, hopping on the trail and making it their sole Sydney adventure. And then after doing monster climbs on a Brompton, actually writing up a blog as they go. Thanks from the GSBT community for writing this all up. Here are the links to SA Brommie blog..
📖Visit the Blog here 📖 Read about the Sydney 5 Day Tour
📖Slighly different, check out the Bromptoneering Japan blog Posts
Brompton Options In Sydney
Sydney Spokes are a local group which has tackled the Greater Sydney Bike more than once and has members who often use Bromptons. Another Brompton connection is the Sydney Brompton FaceBook group.
Garry from CycleSydney